Congress Won’t Join J&K Cabinet Until Statehood Is Restored: Tariq Karra
‘If BJP Tries to Destabilise NC Government, Congress Will Step In to Support’
Congress Opposes Power Tariff Hike, Seeks Comprehensive Amnesty Scheme for Consumers
JAMMU, AUGUST 28:(KNC)Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday made it clear that the Congress will not join the Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir Government until the Union Territory’s statehood is restored.
Putting to rest speculation about the Congress joining the Council of Ministers, Karra said the party had taken a principled position on the issue and would not compromise on its demand for restoration of statehood and other constitutional rights.
Speaking to media persons after addressing a party function at Reasi, Karra said the Congress had maintained a consistent position over the past two years and there was no question of joining the cabinet before statehood was restored.
“Congress cannot climb down from its principled stand on restoration of statehood and other constitutional rights taken away from the people merely to join the Government. But if the BJP tries to disturb the stability of the National Conference Government at any time, Congress will always be there to rescue and support it,” Karra said.
He clarified that the Congress’s outside support to the National Conference Government should not be construed as an indication that the party would become part of the cabinet.
“For the past two years, our stand has been absolutely clear. We will not become part of the Cabinet until statehood is restored. Supporting the National Conference Government does not imply that we will join the Cabinet,” he said.
Karra, however, said that supporting the Government did not mean that the Congress would remain silent on issues concerning governance or the implementation of commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the Congress had extended support to the National Conference with the primary objective of safeguarding communal harmony and maintaining the unity of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Karra, restoration of statehood and protection of the rights of people over land, jobs and natural resources continue to remain among the Congress’s foremost demands.
Congress Opposes Power Tariff Hike
On the recent power tariff hike, Karra said the Congress was opposed to placing any additional financial burden on ordinary consumers, particularly at a time when people were already facing economic difficulties.
He demanded that the Government introduce a comprehensive amnesty scheme for outstanding electricity dues to provide relief to consumers.
“This power tariff hike is neither fair nor just. Placing an additional burden on consumers in such circumstances is not in the interest of the people. The Government must look into the difficulties faced by ordinary consumers and protect their interests,” Karra said.
He maintained that the concerns of common consumers should be addressed through a people-centric approach rather than imposing additional financial pressure.
Congress Continues Outside Support to Government
The Congress has continued to extend outside support to the National Conference-led Government while maintaining its independent political position on key issues, including restoration of statehood.
A six-member Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was sworn in on October 16 last year, without any Congress representative. The National Conference emerged as the single largest party in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections and subsequently formed the Government with Congress support.
The National Conference is part of the INDIA opposition alliance and has consistently opposed the Centre’s 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 and reorganise the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.
New Members Join Congress
Earlier, during the Reasi function, a number of people joined the Congress, expressing faith in the party’s ideology, policies and leadership.
The programme was attended by JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla, former minister and MP Ch Lal Singh, former minister Jugal Kishore Sharma, former minister Babu Jagjeevan Lal, JKPCC general secretary Rajesh Sadotra, JKPCC general secretary Rakesh Wazir, former district president Bhupinder Singh, Munshi Ram Salalia, Ayaz Hussain, Ajay Salalia and other party leaders and workers.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla stressed the need to further strengthen the Congress organisation at the grassroots level. He called upon party workers to remain closely connected with the people and work for their welfare.
Bhalla emphasised unity, discipline and collective efforts as essential for strengthening the Congress organisation across Jammu and Kashmir.
Ch Lal Singh welcomed the new entrants, particularly young people, into the party fold and said that people had become aware of what he described as the “anti-people and anti-youth policies” of the BJP Government.
Jugal Kishore Sharma and other senior Congress leaders also addressed the gathering and called upon party workers to strengthen the organisation and remain connected with people at the grassroots level.(KNC)
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